Many students decide to pursue higher education after high school because they believe that having a degree can make them more employable and also improve their career prospects, even knowing that they might need to take around 10 years to pay back student loans. Have you ever wondered whether any of these promises are true?
We recently completed an analysis of over 40,000 jobseeker resumes uploaded to Adzuna’s tool ValueMyResume between 2019 and 2023. We then used text mining and machine learning technology to look at the career pathways taken by recent grads and the jobs they are working in 5 years after graduation. This then revealed average earnings across different colleges.
In this article, we list out the colleges in the US that produce the highest and lowest earning graduates. Spoiler Alert, not a lot of Ivy League colleges made it to the top 10.
Top 10 colleges with the highest earning graduates
1. Georgetown University
Average salary, 5 years after graduation: $122,222
Tuition fees: $62,052
Renowned for its global studies and political science undergraduate programs, Georgetown University takes the top spot on our list. Their graduates earn an impressive average salary of $122,222 five years after graduation.
This private college is situated at the heart of America’s political scene, Washington D.C., and is often considered on a par with the Ivy League schools because of its stellar alumni reputation and highly selective acceptance rate (12%). Comparably, the average acceptance rate in the US is 68%, and the Ivies are between 5% and 11%. Notable alumni include actor Bradley Cooper, former president Bill Clinton, and commentator and lawyer Greta Van Susteren.
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2. Carnegie Mellon University
Average salary, 5 years after graduation: $109,984
Tuition fees: $61,344
Recognized globally for its programs in computer science and engineering, Carnegie Mellon University boasts an average salary of $109,984 for its graduates five years after graduation.
This Pennsylvania-based institution has the first computer science, machine learning and robotics departments, and it was ranked first in eight areas: artificial intelligence, computer engineering, cybersecurity, management information systems, mobile/web applications, programming languages, software engineering, and quantitative analysis. With the growing prominence of AI tools, we won’t be surprised if it snatches the crown next year!
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3. Northeastern University
Average salary, 5 years after graduation: $90,367
Tuition fees: $60,192
The third highest-earning graduates come from Northeastern University, best known for their business, management, marketing and communications undergraduate degrees. Based in Boston, the college pioneers experiential learning and urban engagement.
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4. University of Pennsylvania
Average salary, 5 years after graduation: $86,751
Tuition fees: $63,452
Finally, an Ivy League school! The “Social Ivy” is best known for its business, liberal arts, and health-related programs. The Wharton School is often cited as one of the most prestigious business schools in the world. Elon Musk earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics from the Wharton School, on top of his Bachelor of Science degree in physics. Other notable alumni include former president Donald Trump, billionaire Warren Buffett, fashion designer Tory Burch, and linguist Noam Chomsky.
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5. Georgia Institute of Technology
Average salary, 5 years after graduation: $83,997
Tuition fees: $11,764 (in state), $32,876 (out of state)
Georgia Institute of Technology rounds off the top five. Known for its engineering and computing programs, the college in Atlanta produces graduates who earn an average salary of $83,997 five years after graduation. The college’s famous tech and engineering curriculums equip students for lucrative careers in technology and related fields.
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6. University of Southern California
Average salary, 5 years after graduation: $81,081
Tuition fees: $64,726
Situated in Los Angeles, the University of Southern California is famed for its arts programs, particularly in the cinematic arts. Unsurprisingly, many famous celebrities in the entertainment industry studied here, such as directors George Lucas and Judd Apatow, comedian Will Ferrel, and actor Penn Badgley. Graduates from USC earn an average salary of $81,081 five years after graduation.
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7. Duke University
Average salary, 5 years after graduation: $80,854
Tuition fees: $63,054
Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke University is known for its computer science, economics, and public policy programs. Graduates from Duke University earn an average salary of $80,854 five years after graduation. It nurtured a lot of famous world leaders, including former Apple CEO Tim Cook, former chairman and US Joint Chiefs of Staff Martin Dempsey, Etsy CEO Chad Dickerson, and Microsoft CFO Amy Hood.
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8. University of Central Missouri
Average salary, 5 years after graduation: $80,276
Tuition fees: $9,410 (in state), $17,450 (out of state)
The University of Central Missouri (UCM) is a public institution located in Missouri known for its education, health-related and business programs. Despite being a lesser-known college, UCM produces graduates with an average salary of $80,276 five years after graduation.
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9. Mercer University
Average salary, 5 years after graduation: $80,008
Tuition fees: $39,708
Mercer University takes the next spot on our list, with the college’s graduates earning an average salary of $80,008 five years after graduation. The college has been ranked among the top two private colleges in Georgia for two decades.
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10. George Washington University
Average salary, 5 years after graduation: $79,613
Tuition fees: $62,200
Another college in Washington, D.C.! Students of George Washington University may not dress as preppy and smart as its rival Georgetown University, but it also houses one of the best political communications and public affairs programs, probably also because of its prime location. Aspiring news anchors and politicians, add George Washington University to your list!
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How did the Ivy Leagues perform?
Rank College Average salary, 5 years after graduation
1 University of Pennsylvania $86,751
2 Columbia University $76,891
3 Harvard University $72,546
4 Princeton University $71,108
5 Cornell University $70,168
6 Stanford $68,264
7 Yale University $66,585
8 Brown University $61,264
9 Dartmouth College $58,314
Top 10 colleges with the lowest earning graduates
1. Valencia College
Average salary, 5 years after graduation: $33,633
Tuition fees: $2,474 (in state)
Graduates from the Florida-based Valencia College earn the smallest pay packets after five years, with earnings averaging just $33,633. Graduates might not be earning much, but they also don’t need to pay hefty tuition fees.
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2. Tennessee State University
Average salary, 5 years after graduation: $37,513
Tuition fees: $8,336 (in state)
With an average salary of $37,513, Tennessee State University lands among the colleges with the lowest earning graduates. Graduates might not be earning a lot, but they probably had a fun time during their uni years. There are more than a hundred student clubs and organizations!
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3. Miami Dade University
Average salary, 5 years after graduation: $37,690
Tuition fees: $2,838 (in state)
The cost of living might be high in Miami, but it doesn’t cost a lot to complete a bachelor’s degree at Miami Dade University. Probably adhering to the rule of “low investment, low return”, graduates from Miami Dade University earn the third lowest out of all colleges in the US.
4. Austin Peay State University
Average salary, 5 years after graduation: $37,510
Tuition fees: $8,761 (in state), $14,305 (out of state)
Located in Tennessee, Austin Peay State University produces graduates with an average salary of $37,510 five years after graduation. The college brands itself as “a major university with a small college feel. You’ll get to know people quickly – including your professors.” If you like building an intimate and professional relationship with professors, add Austin Peay State University to your list!
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5. American Intercontinental University
Average salary, 5 years after graduation: $38,965
Tuition fees: $39,370
Rounding out our list is the American Intercontinental University, where graduates earn an average salary of $38,965 five years after graduation. Its most popular programs are business administration, criminal justice, and health administrative services.
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Looking for a graduate role? Check out our designated graduate job section on our website. Check out our ValueMyResume tool to find out your market value
Read more: Top 10 richest states